WA Bear Hunting

Washington Bear Season Dates 2026

Bear season in Washington runs Aug 1 – Nov 15 across 14 GMUs.

14 Seasons1 Weapon Types

Firearm

GMUTypeDatesHarvestPressurePublic
Zone BBMU-1FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-10FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-11FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-12FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-13FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-14FirearmAug 15 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-2FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-3FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-4FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-5FirearmAug 15 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-6FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-7FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-8FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———
Zone BBMU-9FirearmAug 1 — Nov 15———

Bear in Washington: FAQ

When is bear season in Washington?

Bear season in Washington currently runs Aug 1 to Nov 15, across 14 season rows and 14 GMUs, split by weapon (Firearm).

Where is the best place to hunt bear in Washington?

The best GMUs for bear in Washington depend on harvest success and public-land access, both shown per GMU above. Compare units before you apply for a tag or plan your hunt.

Plan your Bear hunt in Washington

View GMU boundaries, public land, and walk-in access areas on our interactive map.

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Also see Washington seasons, public land, and license.

Bear in Washington: parcels + public land

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